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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. What does Vic make for the Wilsons when they visit?

2. What recurring image does Vic have in Part IV?

3. Who does Vic call to terminate the services of Carpenter?

4. What does Vic realize Melinda can always do with a hangover?

5. What does Brian ask Melinda to do privately with him in Part IV?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Vic decide to do for Trixie in Part IV that Melinda objects to?

2. What does Horace tell Vic he suspects about Carpenter?

3. Who does Vic confront about the hiring of a private investigator in Part III, and what does he find out?

4. Who attends the Mellers' barbecue in Part IV, and why is this strange?

5. In Part III, who tries to help Melinda prove Vic is a killer besides the private investigator?

6. What are both Vic and Melinda happy to hear about Trixie?

7. What does Cameron play that grates on Vic's nerves in Part IV?

8. What does Melinda do in Part III in order to hurt Vic?

9. Who does Vic realize is paying for the private investigator?

10. How do the other partygoers react to the death inquiry of De Lisle?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

How does Highsmith describe Vic's state of mind before, during, and after De Lisle's murder? Write an essay explaining your answers, citing specific references to the text to help support your conclusions.

Essay Topic 2

Why do the townspeople in Little Wesley react so badly to Havermal, and what does highsmith use Havermal to convey to the reader about the town? Write an essay explaining your answers, citing specific references to the text to help support your conclusions.

Essay Topic 3

Why does Vic shower Melinda so extravagantly with gifts for her birthday, and how does she react to this display of affection? What does highsmith use the episode reveal about their relationship? Write an essay explaining your answers.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 580 words (approx. 2 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample